More analysts than players? ESPN has unique set-up for Sunday night game

I always like attempts by network to try different approaches to telecasts. So plaudits to ESPN for trying to do something special for what otherwise would be an ordinary Sunday night baseball game in June.

Here is the rundown from ESPN:

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ESPN will present a unique experience for viewers this weekend on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell – the exclusive, national Major League Baseball game of the week – as the Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Los Angeles Dodgers, June 1, at 8 p.m. ET. Baseball Tonight will “take over” Sunday Night Baseball, immediately following the Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown on-site pre-game show at 7 p.m.

How it will work

Karl Ravech and Baseball Hall of Famer and analyst Barry Larkin will be on site for Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown from just outside of Dodger Stadium. After the show, Ravech and Larkin will head to the Sunday Night Baseball booth inside the stadium where they will lead a team of seven Baseball Tonight commentators who will collectively call the action from various locations throughout Dodger Stadium.

ESPN’s regular Sunday Night Baseball booth – Dan Shulman and John Kruk – has the week off. Regular Sunday Night Baseball reporter Buster Olney will be part of the seven-person team at Dodger Stadium.

Baseball Tonight commentator Dodger Stadium location Analysis specialty
Karl Ravech Sunday Night Baseball television booth Overall, team lead
Barry Larkin Sunday Night Baseball television booth Overall, team lead
Buster Olney Press box News and information
Eric Wedge Behind Home plate Big-picture strategy
Mark Mulder Pirates dugout Pitching
Aaron Boone Dodgers’ dugout Offense
Doug Glanville Right Field Pavilion Defense

Mike McQuade, vice-president, production:

“We are committed to expanding our Major League Baseball coverage by finding new methods of informing and entertaining fans. We’ll look to bring viewers closer to the game through the vantage points of our Baseball Tonight experts, who will be strategically placed in positions where they can capture all of the storylines happening during a baseball game.”

2 thoughts on “More analysts than players? ESPN has unique set-up for Sunday night game

  1. Only the first inning & already am wondering if they will ever shut up & just call the game.

  2. It’s a baseball game on tv. I was looking forward to finally being able to watch my Dodgers this evening (televised games are not available due to ongoing pissing contest between the new TWC network and other cable carriers). Unfortunately, I am getting a headache listening to these guys on ESPN constantly talk. It’s a baseball game on TV. There is no need to have this many people on a broadcast, all of whom constantly think they need to talk and have some great insight to impart to us. Thankfully, I can turn down the volume and listen to Vin Scully. Just the right amount of information, insight and SILENCE to enable the viewer to really enjoy the game.

    Hopefully, ESPN realizes that this format is a distractions and failing having an alternative like Vin Scully to listen to I will unfortunately probably elect to skip future Sunday Night Baseball games.

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